Quick release mounting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device, such as a TV camera, to a support which has a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members comprising: a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having a pair of apertures for receiving the upstanding members; a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate; means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on the base plate; the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the upstanding members and wedging with said members to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction; and lever means pivoted to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions.

United States Patent Beaucher 1 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] QUICK RELEASE MOUNTING APPARATUS [72] Inventor: George J. Beaucher, Anaheim, Calif.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy [22] Filed: Oct. 26, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 84,030

575,002 4/1959 Canada ..292/302 Primary Examiner-Chancellor E. Harris Attorney-Richard S. Sciascia and Ervin F. Johnston [57] ABSTRACT A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device, such as a TV camera, to a support which has a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members comprising: a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having a pair of apertures for receiving the upstanding members; a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate; means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on the base plate; the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the upstanding members and wedging with said members to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction; and lever means pivoted to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 QUICK RELEASE MOUNTING APPARATUS STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royaltiesthereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION diver for collecting data at other locations. TV cameras were used in such a manner on the Navys Sea Lab projects. In the past, these TV cameras were bolted to their supports which made it very cumbersome for a scuba diver to mount or remove the cameras. Accordingly, there was a strong need for a simple device which would enable a scuba diver to easily and quickly mount or remove a TV camera from an underwater support and yet be rigid enough after mounting to enable stable TV reception.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an apparatus for stable mounting of a'device, such as a TV camera, to an underwater support, and which can be easily and quickly locked or unlocked from the support by manipulation of a lever. When the lever is pushed in one direction the apparatus locks the TV camera to the underwater support and when the lever is pushed in the opposite direction the mounting apparatus, along with the TV camera, is unlocked from the support and can be lifted therefrom. The mounting apparatus is locked to a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members which are attached to the support and the mounting apparatus has a base plate which is adapted to rest upon this support and which has a pair of apertures for receiving the upstanding members. A plate is adaptedto slidably rest on the base plate and a means is provided for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on the base plate. The slidable plate has a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the upstanding members, and wedges with these members to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocks the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction. A lever means may be provided to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in the fore and aft directions.

' STATEMENT OF THE OBJECTS OF INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an easily operable quick release mounting apparatus for solidly mounting a device to a support.

Another object is to provide an easily operable quick release mounting apparatus for solidly mounting a device to a support and which can be locked or unlocked from the support by simply moving 'a lever in one direction or the other.

A further object is to provide an easily operable quick release mounting apparatus for solidly mounting a device, such as a TV camera, to an underwater support which has a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members, and which can be easily locked or unlocked fromthe support by a diver.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as it becomes better understood by reference to the description and accompanying drawings which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top view of the quick release mountingapparatus in an unlocked condition;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the quick release mounting apparatus in a locked condition;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the quick release mounting apparatus mounting a TV camera in a locked condition to a support, such as a pan and tilt unit; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the base plate of the quick release mounting apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like or similar parts throughout the several views there is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 a quick release mounting apparatus 10 for mounting a device, such as an underwater TV camera 12, to an underwater support, such as a pan and tilt unit 14 which is mounted upon a tripod 16. The quick release mounting apparatus 10 is adapted to be locked and unlocked from a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members, such as pins 18 which are fixedly connected to a top plate 20 of the pan and tilt unit 14. For a purpose to be described in more detail hereinafter the pins 18 may be provided with enlarged heads 22.

As illustrated in all of the drawings the mounting apparatus 10 includes a base plate 24 which is adapted to rest upon the pan and tilt unit 14 and which has a pair of apertures 26 (one aperture shown in FIG. 3) which are capable of receiving the upstanding pair of pins 18. With such an arrangement the base plate 24 will rest upon the pan and tilt unit with the pins 18 extending through they apertures 26, and the base plate can be simply removed by lifting it up with the heads of the pins 18 passing through the apertures. The TV camera 12 may be fixedly mounted to this base plate 24 by a pair of brackets 28 which may be bolted in place to the base plate 24 by bolts 30. Accordingly, when the base plate 24 is removed from the pan and tilt unit 14 the TV camera 12 comes with it.

In order to lock and unlock the base plate 24 and camera 12 with respect to the pan and tilt unit 14 there is provided a plate 32 which is adapted to slidably rest upon the base plate 24. Means are provided for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate 32 on the base plate 24, which means will be described in more detail hereinafter. The slidable plate 32 has a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots 34 for receiving the upstanding pins 18 and wedging with the pins 18 so as to lock the base plate 24 to the pan and tilt unit 14 when the slidable plate is slid in one direction (see FIG. 2) and unlock the base plate 24 from the pan and tilt unit when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction (see FIG. 1). The width of the slots 34 may be approximately the same as the diameter of the shanks of the pins 40 so that there is slidable action therebetween and accurate guidance of the slidable plate 32 in its fore and aft movements on the base plate 24. The pair of wedging slots 34 of the slidable plate are capable of receiving the pins 18 below the enlarged heads 22 so that the slidable plate is prevented from upward removal by the larger dimension of the heads over the widths of the slots 34. Each slot 34 may be provided with an enlarged portion 36- which has a dimension larger than the heads 22 so that the base plate 24 can be unlocked from the pan and tilt unit 14.

In order to accomplish the highly desirable wedging action between the pins 18 and the slidable plate 32, the top surface'of the slidable plate may be tapered on both sides of each of the wedging slots 34 down toward the enlarged portion 36 of the slot. In this manner, as the slidable plate 32 is moved in a forward direction (see FIG. 2) the slidable plate 32 is progressively forced downwardly against the base plate 24 to accomplish a tight locking condition between the base plate 24 and the pan and tilt unit 14. As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the wedging slots 34 may extend all the way to the forward edge 38 of the slidable plate.

The aforementioned means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate 32 on the base plate 24 may include the base plate having a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins 40, and the slidable plate'having another pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots42 for receiving the pins 40. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the pair of slots 42 may be located inboard of the pair of slots 34. Further, the pins 40 may be provided with enlarged heads so that the slidable plate, 32 is retained to the base plate 24. It is desirable that the shank of the pins 40 be of a diameter which is approximately equal to the width of the slot 42 so that there is slidable action therebetween and positive retention of the slidable plate for its fore and aft movements on the base plate 24.

The aforementioned lever means may include a pair of lever arms 44 and 46 which are mutually pivoted at their ends by any suitable means such as pivot pin 48. In order to provide bottom space for this pin 48 the slidable plate 32 may be provided with a notch 50 so that there is no interference therebetween. The opposite end of the arm 44 may be pivoted to the slidable plate 32 by a pin 52 and the other arm 46 may be pivoted intermediate its ends to the base plate 24 by any suitable means such as the upstanding guide pin 40. The guide pin 40 is especially desirable for pivoting the lever arm 46 to the base plate 24 since the pin 40 can then serve double function in the operation of the mounting apparatus. It is further desirable that the lever arm 46 extend laterally beyond both the base plate 24 and the slidable plate 32 so that it can be easily manipulated by an operator.

In the operation of the mounting apparatus 10, the TV camera 12, or a similar device, is fixedly mounted to the base plate 24 by the mounting brackets 28. The TV camera 12 and the mounting apparatus are then essentially a unitary device. When a diver is then in an underwater environment he can simply push the lever 46 to a forward position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and rest the base plate 24 on the pan and tilt unit 14 with the pins 18 registering through the base apertures 26. In this condition the slidable plate 32 is located in an aft position, and the mounting apparatus 10 and TV camera 12 are unlocked with respect to the pan and tilt unit 14. In order to bring about a locked condition the diver simply pulls the lever 46 aft, as illustrated in FIG. 2, whereupon the slidable plate 32 is forced to a forward location causing a tight wedging condition of the heads 22 of the pins 18 in the slots 34. If the diver then desires to unlock the TV camera and mounting apparatus from the pan and tilt unit 14 he simply returns the lever 46 to its forward position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and lifts the TV camera and mounting apparatus from the pan and tilt unit 14.

It should be apparent from the description and operation of the present invention that the mounting apparatus is very simple to use and has a minimum of moving parts. The mounting apparatus is particularly useful for mounting oceanographic equipment which must be positioned in a very stable condition. By the unique wedging and guidance actions the present mounting apparatus accomplishes this desired stable condition.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:

1. A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device to a support which has at least one upstanding member comprising:

a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having at least one aperture for. receiving said upstanding member;

a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate;

means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on said base plate;

the slidable plate having at least one fore and aft slot for receiving said upstanding member and wedging with said member to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction; and

lever means pivoted to both the slidable plate and the base plate about parallel axes for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions.

2. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate includes:

said base plate having a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins; and

the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the pair of base plus.

3. A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device to a support which has a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members comprising:

a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having a pair of apertures for receiving said upplate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction;

lever means pivoted to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions; and

said lever means including a pair of lever arms which are mutually pivoted at their ends, the other end of one of the arms being pivoted to the slidable plate and the other arm being pivoted intermediate its ends to the base plate by one of the base pins.

4. A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device to a support which has a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins of the type having enlarged heads, comprising:

a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having a pair of apertures for receiving said pins;

a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate;

a means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on said base plate;

the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving said pins and wedging with said pins to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction;

the pair of wedging slots of the slidable plate being capable of receiving the pins below the enlarged heads, and each slot having an enlarged portion for releasing the head from the respective slot;

the top surface of the slidable plate being tapered on both sides of each of the wedging slots down toward the enlarged portion of the slot; and

lever means pivoted to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions. 5. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including:

each of the wedging slots extending to the forward edge of the slidable plate. 6. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including:

said base plate having a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins; and the slidable plate having an additional pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the pair of base pins. 7. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including:

a pair of lever arms which are mutually pivoted at their ends; and the other end of one of the arms being pivoted to the slidable plate and the other arm being pivoted intermediate its ends to the base plate by one of the base pins. 8. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including:

the wedging slots being located outboard of the guidance slots. 9. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including:

said other lever arm extending laterally beyond the base and slidable plates. 10. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 9 includi means for attac mg said device to the base plate.

11. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including:

said support and the upstanding pins thereon. 

1. A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device to a support which has at least one upstanding member comprising: a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having at least one aperture for receiving said upstanding member; a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate; means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on said base plate; the slidable plate having at least one fore and aft slot for receiving said upstanding member and wedging with said member to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction; and lever means pivoted to both the slidable plate and the base plate about parallel axes for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions.
 2. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate includes: said base plate having a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins; and the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the pair of base pins.
 3. A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device to a support which has a pair of laterally spaced upstanding members comprising: a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having a pair of apertures for receiving said upstanding members; a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate; means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on said base plate; the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving said upstanding members and wedging with said members to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction; lever means pivoted to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions; and said lever means including a pair of lever arms which are mutually pivoted at their ends, the other end of one of the arms being pivoted to the slidable plate and the other arm being pivoted intermediate its ends to the base plate by one of the base pins.
 4. A quick release mounting apparatus for mounting a device to a support which has a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins of the type having enlarged heads, comprising: a base plate adapted to rest upon said support and having a pair of apertures for receiving said pins; a plate adapted to slidably rest on the base plate; a means for guiding fore and aft movements of the slidable plate on said base plate; the slidable plate having a pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving said pins and wedging with said pins to lock the base plate to the support when the slidable plate is slid in one direction and unlocking the base plate from the support when the slidable plate is slid in an opposite direction; the pair of wedging slots of the slidable plate being capable of receiving the pins below the enlarged heads, and each slot having an enlarged portion for releasing the head from the respective slot; the top surface of the slidable plate being tapered on both sides of each of the wedging slots down toward the enlarged portion of the slot; and lever means pivoted to the slidable plate and the base plate for sliding the slidable plate in fore and aft directions.
 5. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed In claim 4 including: each of the wedging slots extending to the forward edge of the slidable plate.
 6. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 5 including: said base plate having a pair of upstanding laterally spaced pins; and the slidable plate having an additional pair of fore and aft laterally spaced slots for receiving the pair of base pins.
 7. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including: a pair of lever arms which are mutually pivoted at their ends; and the other end of one of the arms being pivoted to the slidable plate and the other arm being pivoted intermediate its ends to the base plate by one of the base pins.
 8. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 7 including: the wedging slots being located outboard of the guidance slots.
 9. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 8 including: said other lever arm extending laterally beyond the base and slidable plates.
 10. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 9 including: means for attaching said device to the base plate.
 11. A quick release mounting apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including: said support and the upstanding pins thereon. 